Pipeline pig with internal flow cavity

ABSTRACT

A pig for movement within a pipeline comprising a cylindrical housing with annular seals circumferentially mounted to the housing and extending outwards for sealing engagement between the pipeline and the housing. An internal flow cavity passes through the housing, with a gate positioned within the internal flow cavity, initially obstructing flow through the cavity. A locking device, connected to the gate, prevents the gate opening. A sensing device is capable of receiving a signal and is connected to an unlocking device. The sensing device receives a signal activating the unlocking device, thereby removing the locking device, permitting the gate to open and flow to pass through the cavity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/327,656, filed Dec. 3, 2008, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to pipeline pigs used in the inspection ofpipelines.

BACKGROUND

Devices known as pigs are commonly passed through pipelines in order toservice or inspect the pipeline. A pig may contain the necessaryservicing or inspection equipment or may draw other devices behind it.In pipelines for conveying fluids, the pig is commonly driven along thepipeline by the flow of the pipeline fluid. To achieve this, the pig maybe fitted with one or more flexible disks or cups attached to the bodyof the pig and extending outwardly to the interior pipe wall so as toform a sufficient seal in the pipeline. Such arrangements have beenknown and used for many years. If the seal is substantially complete,the pig will travel at the speed of the pipeline fluid.

If a pig becomes stuck in a pipeline, it can restrict or impede the flowthrough the pipeline. Often, contingency plans are implemented in orderto recover the pig. Contingency plans may involve shutting down thepipeline, depressurizing the pipeline, flushing the pipeline, liftingthe pipeline, and cutting the pipeline at the point where the pig isstuck in order to remove it. Once the pig is removed, the pipeline isthen reconnected and put back in service. This contingency plan iscostly due to inhibited pipeline flow and downtime while the pipeline iscleared. A by-pass pig with holes that allow some flow through can beused in place of a traditional pipeline pig. However, the holes in aby-pass pig reduce the maximum fluid force that can be applied to thepig to drive it through the pipeline. As a result, the chances of aby-pass pig becoming stuck in a pipeline are greater than that of atraditional pipeline pig.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a pipeline pig withan internal flow cavity that runs through the center of the body. Aswingable gate, similar to a butterfly valve, is located within thecenter pipe. The gate has a locking mechanism to keep it in the closedposition. The pig also includes a hydraulic accumulator that storeshydraulic oil, and at least one hydraulic cutter. A control capsuleconsisting of a pressure switch, a battery, and a solenoid valve arecontained within a high pressure housing in the body of the pig. If thepig becomes stuck within the pipeline, the pressure is increased withinthe pipeline. As the pressure is increased, the pressure switch locatedin the pig triggers the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve opens,allowing the hydraulic oil to flow to the hydraulic cutter. Thehydraulic cutter cuts the gate locking device, allowing the gate torotate, thereby opening the internal flow cavity, allowing flow tocontinue through the pipeline. Additionally, a pinger can be locatedwithin the body of the pig, allowing the location of the pig in thepipeline to be monitored and determined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a pipeline pig as comprised bythe present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the pipeline pig of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the locking mechanism cutting assembly of thepipeline pig as comprised by the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the pipeline pig of FIG. 1, illustratingthe movement of the gate of the pipeline pig as comprised by the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a pipeline pig 13 is constructed in accordance withthe present invention. Pipeline pig 13 consists of a housing or body 21.A passageway or internal flow cavity 22 extends through the center ofbody 21. A gate 23 is located in the center of flow cavity 22 ofpipeline pig 13 equidistant between each end. Gate 23 is mounted to ashaft 24 that is perpendicular to internal flow cavity 22. Gate 23 andshaft 24 are both capable of rotation, but are limited by a stopper 55.A plurality of bracketed front guide discs 17, and bracketed rear guidediscs 19 are disposed about body 21. Guide discs 17, 19 contact thepipeline walls 11 to scrape them of deposits and guide the pig 13through the pipeline as the fluid flow as indicated by arrow 15 pushesthe pig. A hydraulic accumulator 29, a high pressure capsule 31, atleast one hydraulic cutter 27 connected to high pressure capsule 31 by afluid control line 33, and a locking pin 25 are located within ormounted to body 21 of pipeline pig 13, but outside of flow cavity 22. Apipeline pinger 35 may also be located within or mounted to body 21 ofpipeline pig 13 and may be used to determine the location of pig 13throughout its deployment in the pipeline.

Referring to FIG. 2, a hydraulic accumulator 29 is connected to highpressure capsule 31. Encapsulated in high pressure capsule 31, in orderto sustain the pressure of the pipeline, are a solenoid valve 39, abattery 43, and a pressure switch 45. Pressure switch 45 could bereplaced by a number of other sensing devices capable of receiving asignal including a magnetic signal, an electronic signal, an acousticsignal, and ultrasonic signal, or other through-wall communication.Additionally, pressure switch 45 could be replaced by a timer. Hydraulicaccumulator 29 stores hydraulic oil and has a check valve 37 on one endfor charging. A hydraulic control line 38 extends from accumulator 29into capsule 31 and into solenoid valve 39. Solenoid valve 39 isconnected to battery 43, which is also connected to pressure switch 45.A sensor line 47 runs from pressure switch 45 and out an opening incapsule 21. Pressure switch 45 is connected to solenoid valve 39.Control line 33 runs from solenoid valve 39 and out of high pressurecapsule 31.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, control line 33 runs to hydraulic cutters27. In the present embodiment, there are two hydraulic cutters 27, butthere may be more or less located within a given pig. Locking rod 25passes through holes in hydraulic cutters 27 and is fixed to the pighousing 21 by a bracket 49. Opposite bracket 49, locking rod 25 passesthrough a hole 51 before bending upwards. Hole 51 extends through a tabwhich extends upwards from gate 23 beyond housing 21 (FIGS. 4 and 5).The contact surfaces between gate 23 and housing 21 are initiallysealed. Rod 25 prevents rotation of gate 23 about its axis 53. Referringto FIG. 6, a stopper rod 55 extends across internal cavity 22 throughthe center of body 21 and is positioned parallel to axis 53 rearward ofgate 23 (FIG. 5). Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, stopper rod 55 limits therotational path of gate 23 to 90 degrees from the closed position.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in operation, pipeline pig 13 is deployedwithin pipeline 11. Gate 23 is in a closed position, and is locked inposition by locking rod 25, which passes through hole 51 on the tabportion of gate 23. Pig 13 is pushed through pipeline 11 by the force ofthe fluid flow, as indicated by arrow 15, acting against it. Theposition of pig 13 can be tracked by pinger 35 located within the body21 of pig 13. Pig 13 travels through pipeline 11, and at some pointbecomes stuck.

When the pig becomes stuck, the pressure increases within pipeline 11due to the inhibited fluid flow. The pressure within pipeline 11 can befurther increased up to the safe operating range. Referring to FIG. 2,pressure switch 45, located within high pressure capsule 31, is set totrigger at a specified pressure. Once the pressure in pipeline 11reaches the specified pressure, sensor line 47 triggers pressure switch45. Pressure switch 45, powered by battery 43, triggers solenoid valve39, also powered by battery 43, causing it to open. Hydraulic oil,charged and stored in hydraulic accumulator 29, flows through line 38,through valve 39, and into control line 33. The hydraulic oil then flowsthrough control line 33 and into hydraulic cutters 27.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, when the hydraulic fluid enters cutters 27,the holes in cutters 27, through which locking rod 25 pass throughcollapse, cutting rod 25. With locking rod 25 no longer connected tohousing 21, gate 23 is free to rotate about its axis 53. The force ofthe fluid on gate 23 causes it to rotate about its axis 53, and open(FIGS. 4 and 5). To prevent gate 23 from continuously rotating aboutaxis 53, stopper rod 55 (FIGS. 1, 5, and 6) extends across internalcavity 22 through the center of body 21, parallel to axis 53 rearward ofgate 23. Gate 23 presses against stopper 55, and maintains its openposition, allowing flow to pass through internal cavity 22 and continuethrough pipeline 11. Pipeline pig 13 gives operators additional time toprepare for retrieval and possible repair while keeping the line inoperation.

While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it shouldbe apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but issusceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of theinvention.

1. A pig for movement within a pipeline comprising: a cylindrical housing; at least first and second annular elements circumferentially mounted to the housing and extending outwards for engagement with a pipeline; an internal flow cavity passing longitudinally through the housing; a gate capable of being opened, positioned within the internal flow cavity, obstructing flow through the internal flow cavity; a locking device connected to the gate, preventing it from being opened, the locking device being releasable to open the gate in the event the pig becomes stuck; and a sensing device capable of receiving a signal indicating the pig is stuck in the pipeline, thereby releasing the locking device, permitting the gate to open.
 2. The pig of claim 1 further comprising: an unlocking device mounted adjacent the locking device for releasing the locking device.
 3. The pig of claim 1 wherein the gate is capable of rotation about an axis perpendicular to the internal flow cavity.
 4. The pig of claim 1 wherein the locking device comprises a rod that engages the gate.
 5. The pig of claim 2 wherein the unlocking device comprises at least one cutter that severs the locking device.
 6. The pig of claim 5 further comprising a hydraulic accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid connected to power the cutter.
 7. The pig of claim 1 further comprising a pinger mounted to the pig for tracking and locating the pig within the pipeline.
 8. The pig of claim 2 wherein the sensing device comprises a pressure switch that senses pressure on an upstream end of the pig.
 9. The pig of claim 1 wherein the sensing device is capable of receiving an electromagnetic signal from an operator to release the locking device.
 10. A pig for movement within a pipeline comprising: a cylindrical housing; at least first and second annular elements circumferentially mounted to the housing and extending outwards for engagement with the pipeline; an internal flow cavity passing longitudinally through the housing; a gate positioned within the internal flow cavity and mounted to a shaft that is perpendicular to the internal flow cavity, the gate and shaft being capable of rotation; a locking device that engages the gate to prevent the gate from rotating and opening; an unlocking device adjacent the locking device; and a sensing device that senses when the pig is stuck in the pipeline and causes the unlocking device to release the locking device, permitting the gate to open.
 11. The pig of claim 10 wherein the locking device comprises a rod that passes through a hole in the gate, thereby preventing the gate from rotating and opening.
 12. The pig of claim 11 wherein the unlocking device comprises a cutter that severs the rod in response to receiving a signal from the sensing device.
 13. The pig of claim 12 wherein the cutter is hydraulically powered.
 14. The pig of claim 13 further comprising a hydraulic accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid and supplying hydraulic fluid to the cutter.
 15. The pig of claim 10 further comprising a pinger mounted to the pig for tracking and locating the pig within the pipeline.
 16. The pig of claim 10 wherein the sensing device comprises a pressure switch.
 17. The pig of claim 10 wherein the sensing device is capable of receiving an electromagnetic signal from an operator to release the locking device.
 18. A method for deploying a pig within a pipeline comprising: (a) providing an internal cavity extending through the pig and placing a gate in the cavity; (b) placing the pig in the pipeline with the gate closed, allowing the flow of the fluid to drive the pig through the pipeline; and (c) if the pig becomes stuck in the pipeline, opening the gate to allow fluid to flow through the internal cavity.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein step (c) further comprises: sending a signal to the pig if it becomes stuck, opening the gate.
 20. The method according to claim 18, wherein step (b) further comprises locking the gate in a closed position with a locking device; and wherein step (c) further comprises sending a signal to the pig, releasing the locking device. 